Rethinking strategies for rural development is a critical global issue today. Dynamic urbanization processes shape large areas of the world, while the revitalization of rural regions has been neglected for a long time. This has consequently given rise to pressing socio-economic and political challenges all over the world. To stimulate an international discussion, Aedes Architecture Forum and Network Campus Berlin initiated the conference Regions on the Rise. Culture and Architecture as Drivers for Rural Development.

The conference will focus on the duality and interrelations between the urban and the rural, seeking to explore what culture and architecture can contribute to rural renewal in interplay with economy, spatial planning, infrastructure, and ecology. The goal of this international knowledge exchange of holistic strategies and best practice examples is to discuss new concepts, which might ultimately establish a new rural confidence and identity as well as economic progress and reliability as major incentives to make people stay in or even return to the “hinterland.” Against this backdrop, the conference is structured around three main sessions complemented by excursions into the region to illustrate the topic and to offer opportunities for exchange: (I) a cluster of ten impulse statements to boost the conference with a wide range of positions by stakeholders from the various fields of practice and research in the rural context, as well as panel discussions on (II) "Culture + Architecture” and (III) "Ecology and Economy + Architecture."

Background
The conference is part of the long-term international inquiry program Regions on the Rise by Aedes Network Campus Berlin. In various formats and places it brings together policymakers, architects, planners, researchers, economists, curators and related professionals to share and archive experiences, strategies and new ideas for the development of the "global rural region" of the future.

The Songyang conference in November was born out of the very successful Aedes exhibition Rural Moves – The Songyang Storyrecently presented in Berlin and currently on show in the official program of the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale. The exhibition displays a series of carefully balanced architectural “acupunctures” in Songyang—a region in the southwest of Shanghai that became a pioneer in the sensitive redevelopment of rural areas. They were implemented by the committed Beijing-based architect Xu Tiantian in close collaboration with Songyang’s magistrate and locals.

Confirmed lecturers
Distinguished protagonists from many regions of the world and from China promise an intense, controversial, and multi-layered dialogue.

Participation in the conferencee
The conference is open to the public. Participation is free of charge and includes guided excursions, transfer shuttle from the nearest airports, and meals. Participants have to cover their own flight and accommodation costs. Only a limited number of seats is available to the public. Registration deadline: October 8, 2018.

Detailed information on the conference program and on how to register can be found here.

Additional information

Conference proceedings
The contributions and results of the conference will be compiled in a publication and in the Aedes online archive to deepen and expand the international discussion on the redevelopment of rural regions and to make the content accessible for those not able to follow the event in person.

Host: CPC Songyang County Committee, Songyang County People's Government

Conceptualized by: Aedes Architecture Forum & Network Campus Berlin

Rural Moves and Songyang as Case Study
Aedes is invited to present the exhibition Rural Moves – The Songyang Story at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair from October 10-14, 2018.

In 2019, an updated version of the exhibition will be shown at:Austrian Architecture Museum, Vienna (Az W), March 14-April 23, 2019S AM Swiss Architecture Museum, Basel, September 28-November 10, 2019

I have read e-flux’s privacy policy and agree that e-flux may send me announcements to the email address entered above and that my data will be processed for this purpose in accordance with e-flux’s privacy policy*

Next

e-flux

e-flux Architecture

art-agenda

Exhibitions at commercial galleries

Art & Education

Exhibitions, symposia and teaching positions at art schools world wide

Thank You!

Subscription pending. Your email subscription is almost complete. An email has been sent to the email address you entered. In this email is a confirmation link. Please click on this link to confirm your subscription.

Close

* This consent can be revoked at any time with effect for the future. For more information, please see our privacy policyIf you have any questions regarding data protection, please contact dataprivacy [​at​] e-flux.com